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March 9, 2001 meeting –Held at Spring Meadows Retirement Community

          President Joe Ruospo called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag. Jack Quinlan said the invocation. Jim Lang led us in singing R-O-T-A-R-Y.

Joe thanked Jack Quinlan for calling everyone to remind them of the meeting location change. Joe also called many people.

Attendance: Marjorie Anctil, Ray Baldwin, Jim Baum, Greg Bivona, John Bogannam, Jayne Bolton, Dan Calloway, Bev Cambras, Guy DeFeo, Barry Diamond, Don Emond, Joan Farley, Lynn Fontana, Tom Galla, Keith Gatling, Len Germano, Tom Heaney, Bernie Helfrich, Michael Khan, Philip Lane, Jim Lang, Dana Lonergan, John Makar, John McBride, Ian McMillan, Preston Merritt, Ted Merritt, Jack Quinlan, Mike Rappa, Michael Redgate, Joe Ruospo, Ray Rzasa, Russell Schwartz, Dale Seymour, Rose Marie Spatafore, Steve Taylor, George Voynick, Dave Wilson, Bill Zeidenberg.

Guests: Sheryl Shaugnessy of the Southport Club

Happy/sad Dollars: Dave Wilson gave a happy dollar for the morning’s much needed snow. Lynn Fontana gave a happy dollar for her great vacation in Acapulco. She also handed out and discussed a list of helpful Websites from the Trumbull High School database. We have included a copy of the list with this week’s newsletter. Thanks, Lynn! Ray Rzasa gave a happy two dollars for the Trumbull Rotary cover-page ad in the Trumbull Day program. Our contribution supports the “Eyes Can See” program for our volunteer fire department. Tom Galla gave a happy dollar because Michael Redgate called him to remind him of the meeting change. Ray Baldwin said that Michael really called Tom to give Tom a quote. Rose Marie Spatafore gave a happy dollar for Joe Ruospo’s call. Barry Diamond gave a sad dollar because nobody called him. Preston Merritt gave a sad dollar because somebody called him and told him the meeting was at the Marriott. Guy DeFeo gave a happy two dollars for the two meeting calls he received and his recent vacation in Aruba. Sheryl Shaugnessy gave a happy dollar, said it was great to be here as a visitor, especially with “Rotary Muckity-Muck” Jim Lang. Ian McMillan gave an advertising dollar to announce that on Saturday March 17th, (Saint Patrick’s Day), he is auctioning a house in Trumbull owned by an Irish-American named Boyle. Mr. Boyle’s children have the unfortunate first names of “hard” and “soft”. Don’t get mad friends, it’s only a yoke! Phil Lane gave a happy five dollars because “Spring Break” starts soon for him. Jim Lang gave a happy dollar because he was in jail trying to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and just got out.

Business: President Ruospo gave a report of this weeks well-attended Board Meeting and encouraged all members to attend future Board Meetings, especially new members. On April 2nd, the Police Department and John Rosati are sponsoring an Adult Dare Program at Hillcrest School. The club will be asked to fund $300.00 for the Dare speaker, if police funds are not available. Our club will also spend $50.00 for refreshments. Attendance is encouraged. A donation will be sent to the District Board for the golf tournament, in lieu of fielding a foursome. We donated $1,000.00 to the “Eyes Can See” program and received the back-cover ad location in their promotional book. We are buying 2000 brochures and stickers for Lyme Disease awareness. We have donated $300.00 to the Bridgeport club for their annual gold raffle. We have donated $200.00 to Trumbull EMS for their help at Winterfest. The Annual District Assembly will be on May 10th in Meriden. John Annick of Trumbull, a member of the Bridgeport club, will be introduced as the new District Governor. The Assembly also provides training for new officers and new members. Jim Lang and Joe Ruospo encouraged heavy membership support. Ted Merritt will be attending two days of PETS training at Nashua, NH to gain insight for chapter leadership. The “Start Your Own Business” class, popular for the past five years, has been canceled this year due to lack of volunteers. John Annick will be inducted as the new District Governor on June 29th in Wallingford. It is a nice dinner evening for couples.

Birthdays and Anniversaries: We sang Happy Anniversary to Keith and Lindy Gatling. Keith then gave a happy five dollars for being reminded of his anniversary.

Committee Reports: Preston Merritt reported that this years carnival will be held in front of Hillcrest school starting on April 18th, 2001, a school vacation week. Hours are from 6 to 10PM on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday: 1 to 10PM on Saturday, and 1 to 5PM on Sunday. Help is needed to sell tickets and attach arm bands for all days. Preston says—Plan on spending your life there.

Program: Our Own Russell Schwartz, Executive Director of Spring Meadows, led a tour of the luxurious facility after an informative talk. Among other things, Russ said:

1.     There are 150 units in the 150,000 square foot facility.

2.     Of the 150 units, 106 are one or two bedroom independent living apartments with full kitchens and clothes washers and dryers.

3.     The remaining 44 units are assisted living units that are smaller, with no washer and dryer and minimal kitchen facilities.

4.     There is a separate dining room for the assisted living residents.

5.     The complex opened this past June and now has 72 units occupied, with deposits on 20 more.

6.     The age range of the 93 tenants is from 52 to 96.

7.     There is a lot of community space, including a library, café, computer center, billiard room, Jacuzzi tub, outdoor patios and covered porch.

8.     Last months electric bill for the complex was $25,000.00.

9.     The cost range is $2,400.00 to $3,800.00 for independent living, which includes laundry, many meals and other services.

10. There are no Medicaid patients at the complex, because it is not a nursing home. However, many services are provided for the assisted living tenants.

11. Units can be rented on a monthly basis.

Raffle: Phil Lane and Rose Marie Spatafore drew for $419.00, but didn’t win. Rose Marie drew the Queen of Clubs, but you need the King to win! Try your luck next week.

                                    UCOMING PROGRAMS AND EVENTS

            March 16        Tauni Butterfield, athletic coach at Christian Heritage School

            March 17        Saint Patrick’s Day

            March 23        Michael Redgate

            April 2              Adult Dare Program at Hillcrest

            April 18 - 22            Carnival at Hillcrest

            April 19 - 22 District Conference at Newport, Rhode Island

            May 10            District Assembly at Meriden

            June 29            District Governor Installation at Wallingford

Respectfully Submitted,

Dale J. Seymour for Thelma Hoyt, our newsletter editor

 


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